Two-thirds of NHS nurses believe lack of staff is putting patients at risk, survey finds
Summary
A survey of UK nurses shows that almost two-thirds believe there are not enough nurses working in the NHS to keep patients safe. The Royal College of Nursing warns that understaffing combined with more complex patient needs creates risks, especially for elderly patients, and calls for mandatory safe nurse staffing levels.Key Facts
- 64% of nurses said the number of nurses on their last shift was below what was needed for safe care.
- 22% said the number of nurses was well below needed levels, causing significant risks to patients and staff.
- Understaffing and the ageing population’s complex medical needs combine to create a dangerous situation.
- The growth in the nursing workforce slowed to the lowest in eight years.
- The number of doctors has increased faster than the number of nurses over the past decade.
- NHS leaders expect to cut services and clinical staff in 2025 due to financial pressures.
- The UK government says it has recruited 16,000 more nurses since July 2024 and will release a 10-year workforce plan.
- NHS waiting lists have decreased, and the government says it is investing in improvements and technology.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
